River Products Company, Inc., the first successful manufacturing operation in Iowa City to celebrate 92 continuous years in business in March 2012.
In 1920 the Conklin Quarry located immediately North of the Iowa River in Penn Township opened. Geological surveys indicated a concentrated deposit of quality limestone which tested high in calcium. The high quality of the stone allows us to meet the Iowa Department of Transportation specifications, engineered building trade requirements, and construction industry standards. River Products Company, Inc. will continue to supply the market area with crushed rock and sand and gravel for all types of work for many years to come.
As leisure time increases, the complementary industry will continue on an upswing, necessitating the building of better road systems, bike paths, improved waterways and other recreational activities all using more limestone and sand and gravel products. The Iowa Department of Transportation Central Lab in Ames, Iowa is continually monitoring quarry ledges and sand and gravel deposits to verify the quality of the stone and sand and gravel for their applicable uses.
Agricultural use of limestone has remained steady throughout the years. Farmers and farm cooperatives remain top users of Ag-Lime during the spring, fall, and early winter seasons. Limestone reduces soil acidity, resulting in the soil remaining productive.
In 1963, River Products Company, Inc. acquired quarries located in Washington and Louisa Counties.
In 1977, a sand dredging and plant processing operation was started at Fredonia, Louisa County, Iowa.
In 1982, River Products Company, Inc. began crushing operations at the Klein Quarry, west of Coralville, Johnson County, Iowa.
In 1989, we purchased the sand operations at Riverside, Washington County, Iowa.
In 2007, we moved 2.5 miles North and opened R-II just South of Hills, Johnson County, Iowa.
In 2001, we began site development at the Dingleberry-Ernst Quarry located northeast of Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa, with production start-up occurring in the fall of 2003.
In March of 2005, we started up our newly constructed, fully automated plant at Klein Quarry.
River Products Company, Inc. and its affiliates currently employ 276 full-time people in Johnson, Linn, Washington, and Louisa counties. In 1999, the Corporate Offices moved from downtown and are now located at 3273 Dubuque Street N.E., Iowa City, Iowa.
The Company produced over 70,000,000 tons of material between the years of 1920-2010. River Products Company, Inc. maintains product prices to remain competitive through modernization and efficient use of all resources.
Due to the nature of the business, River Products Company, Inc. does not allow access to their quarries or sand and gravel properties without specific approval.
Subsidiary or Affiliated Companies
- In 2000, we purchased the assets of Voss Petroleum, a full service oil and fuel distributor. We relocated, built a new bulk facility, re-named the company Petroleum Services Company and merged their offices with ours.
- In 2003 we purchased Shamrock Contruction Company, an asphalt paving company. They specialize in sub-division roads, chip seal streets (sealcoating), trails, driveways, and parking lots.
- December 2005 marked the grand opening of Center Point Travel Plaza located on I-380, Exit 35, Center Point, Iowa, operating as the retail division under Petroleum Services Company.
- In 2006, we started an information technology company named Rock Technology. Rock Technology specializes in sales and service of computers for commercial and residential uses, website development and software consulting. “Rock Solid Performance from the Technology Experts.”
- On September 1, 2007 we purchased the assets of Kalona Oil Company acquiring the bulk plant in Kalona & two convenience stores (Westside Petro in Kalona & The Corner Stop in Washington). These locations operate as part of Petroleum Services Company.
- The companies operate under the umbrella of RPC Holdings, Inc.
If you have any questions about our companies or our sites, contact us at (319) 338-1184.